MEET THE BOARD
Ms. Starr Prescott - Founder / President
A New York native from The Bronx, Ms. Prescott's entrepreneurial spirit was ignited at the young age of twelve, inspired by her father, a retired veteran who ran a successful flooring and window cleaning company. With a profound love for beauty and a particular knack for hair-related services, such as extensions, braiding, and hair care, Ms. Prescott nurtured a childhood dream of owning a beauty salon. In 2014, just two years after obtaining her cosmetology license from Empire Beauty School, she realized her dream of becoming a salon owner became a reality.
Recognizing a pressing need in the beauty industry for professionals who could address hair loss and scalp disorders, Ms. Prescott ventured into a new career path. In 2017, she became a Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and in 2018, she attained certification as a non-surgical hair replacement specialist from the Toni Love Institute. Her primary focus shifted towards helping individuals rebuild their confidence and understanding that hair loss often originates from internal factors.
Ms. Prescott's dedication to holistic well-being led her to study holistic healing practices, ultimately becoming a Certified Holistic Trichologist through TOAM, a Certified Naturopathic Wellness Coach with Dr. Sheryl Duchess, and a Board-Certified Health Coach through the Association of Drugless Practitioners.
Today, as the owner of Hair Grass Hair Loss Solutions, LLC, Ms. Prescott's mission is to address the root causes of hair loss rather than merely offering products. She embraces the challenges of entrepreneurship and imparts the wisdom to "Forget the naysayers. Fail Forward" to fellow entrepreneurs she encounters. Her entrepreneurial spirit has influenced her two sons, one of whom owns a skincare line at twenty-six, while the other, at sixteen, has embarked on starting his clothing line.
Ms. Prescott recognizes the importance of nurturing the youth as they represent the future and has made it her duty to guide not only her children but also their peers to become productive members of society. This commitment led to the formation of Youth Exposure, Inc., where she provides the youth with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed as future professionals.
Rick Walker - Co-Founder / Vice President
Rick Walker is a Jacksonville native, serial entrepreneur, and owner of Duval Bailbonds. Rick has a Bachelor's Degree in IT Communications and is currently employed by Baptist Health. Rick is a former youth basketball coach and loves encouraging children to become the best version of themselves. Rick has a wife, three children, and three grandchildren. Rick has lost friends and loved ones to gun violence and can personally identify with the members of the Jacksonville community who have lost a loved one to gun violence, which is why Mr. Walker has decided to join forces with the President's mission to expose Youth Communities to Entrepreneurship, The Arts and Life Readiness Skills. Mr. Walker will spearhead Youth Exposure’s Re-entry division to continue the fight to reduce recidivism.
Nahshon Nicks -Vice President
Dr. Nahshon Nicks has been beating the odds his whole life. Father was in prison, mother struggled with substance abuse, and he couldn't read until the 5th grade. But by God's grace, he graduated as senior class president from Edward Waters University with a BA in Education, a master's Degree in Management and Leadership from Strayer University, and a Doctor of Ministry from New York Theological Seminary.
He runs a successful small business where he mentors and teaches Martial arts to thousands of our at-risk youth throughout Jacksonville. Through Mentoring and Martial Arts, he developed his own SEALTeam Social-Emotional and Academic Leadership curriculum.
Social Emotional and Academic Leadership builds executive functional skills, translating into workforce development. He has hosted numerous job fairs, helped thousands of citizens register to vote, held preventative health initiatives, and most recently kicked off the Americans of African Descent Economic Summit, helping minority businesses get access to capital and capacity building.
His wife Shakira is retired from the US Navy, and they have 3 beautiful daughters. Dr. Nicks's life's mission can be found in Isaiah 1:17: "Learn to do what is right, seek justice, and defend the oppressed."
Most importantly, he loves God, his family, and our city.
AISHA NORRIS - TREASURER
Born and raised in the South Bronx, Aisha Norris has spent over 25 years facilitating and implementing media and arts programs to improve the lives of vulnerable youth throughout NYC.
Ms. Norris is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of DREAM! Founded in 2009 with a mission to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline by helping students, educators, families, and underserved communities acquire the practical skills and confidence they need to resolve conflicts creatively and productively, increasing students' engagement with learning and supporting academic and personal success. Before co-founding Dare to Revitalize Education thru Arts & Mediation (DREAM)! in 2009, Ms. Norris thrived at the Harlem Children's Zone, where she served at the award-winning arts and media literacy program "TRUCE" – first as a student, video production Teaching Artist, then as the Program Coordinator, managing the arts programs. Wanting to offer a TRUCE-like experience to as many youth communities as possible in 2009, Aisha founded DREAM! and partnered with community-based organizations, bringing them media arts and literacy programming. Norris later became trained and certified in Conflict Resolution by the Alternatives to Violence Project, Peer Mediation by Creative Response to Conflict, and Restorative Practices by the International Institute for Restorative Practices. By 2015, DREAM! 's original media arts and literacy program model evolved, now using the arts as a vehicle for teaching peer mediation and other restorative practices in public schools throughout New York City.
